Taylor released his first album in 1969. Focusing on folk-tinged rock and introspective ballads, the singer-songwriter notched Top 5 hits with "Fire and Rain," "You've Got a Friend," "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" and "Handy Man."

Classics like "Fire and Rain," "You've Got a Friend," "Carolina In My Mind" and "Sweet Baby James" established Taylor's main musical identity and have defined it ever since, even though he has showed some other sides: the joyful "Mockingbird" duet with then-wife Carly Simon in 1974, the seductive soul music of 1977's "Handy Man," the social sloganeering of 1991's "Shed a Little Light."

He has had his share of personal ups and downs, too. His stormy marriage to Simon ended in divorce in the early '80s. He has battled substance abuse and depression, but by all accounts has been clean and healthy for the last 25 years or so.

Taylor's 1997 studio album, "Hourglass," was not his most remarkable or best-selling work, but it still won the best pop album Grammy, a sign of voters' affection for his past work. Other honors followed. In 1999, National Public Radio selected "Fire and Rain" as one of the 100 greatest songs of the century. In 2001, Taylor entered both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He has continued to record and tour. In 2010, he teamed up with singer-songwriter Carole King for a national tour that was a throwback to the early ’70s, when the duo first teamed at the landmark Troubadour club in Los Angeles.

Related Stories

CONCERT CALENDAR

What are the big concerts coming to Northeast Ohio this year? Search this database to find upcoming concert schedules and event information at more than 20 major venues in Greater Cleveland, Akron and beyond. ... Read more»

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.